Women’s and Gender Studies

At the core of the Women’s and Gender Studies (WMGS) program at PLU is a vibrant, diverse, and supportive community of feminist women and men, working to enhance and reinforce the individual goals and strengths of each student. This multiplicity of resources and talents allow our courses to draw upon many different academic areas, explore themes, such as gender and sexual identity, emphasize critical examination of racism, classism, and other forms of inequity and discrimination, and focus on the pursuit of social justice.

The Women’s and Gender Studies major is a multidisciplinary and interdisciplinary complementary major. Conferral of a baccalaureate degree with a major in Women’s and Gender Studies requires completion of a second major from any discipline in the university. Students are encouraged to declare both majors simultaneously and to plan a program aware of the possibilities for applying individual courses to both majors. The Women’s and Gender Studies major allows application of courses from the second major and for general university requirements to the Women’s and Gender Studies major.

MAJOR32 semester hours, including:

WMGS 201 (4 semester hours)

Two courses each from the Women/Feminism approved program core course list (8 semester hours)

Two courses each from the Gender/Sexuality approved program core course list (8 semester hours)

Two elective courses approved by the WMGS program chair or from the list of approved WMGS courses

Students are required to complete a minimum of 4 upper-division courses in the program core and electives.

WMGS 201: Introduction to Women’s and Gender Studies4 semester hours

Program Core Courses16 semester hours
Students must take one class each from the following four areas (one each from Group A and Group B under both Women & Feminism and Gender & Sexuality):

Women and Feminism

Group A:

ENGL 232: Women’s Literature (4)

ENGL 341: Feminist Approaches to Literature (4)

RELI 368: Feminist & Womanist Theologies (4)

Group B:

HIST 359: History of Women in the U.S. (4)

PHIL 220: Women and Philosophy (4)

PSYC 375: Psychology of Women (4)

Gender & Sexuality

Group C:

ANTH 350: Women & Men in World Cultures (4)

PSYC 370: Gender and Sexuality (4)

SOCI 440: Sex, Gender & Society

Group D:

COMA 303: Gender & Communication (4)

PHED 315: Body Image (4)

Electives8 semester hours
Students must complete two additional courses beyond the core courses required. These may be selected from:

Additional WMGS core courses not taken to satisfy the Program Core Courses requirement

Courses from an approved list published in the Women’s & Gender Studies section in class schedules

Courses from any discipline for which at least 60% of the assignments center on women, feminism, gender, and/or sexuality. This allows the integration of Women’s and Gender Studies perspectives into courses that are not explicitly or entirely structured around those perspectives. Consent of the instructor is required. Students should consult the Women’s and Gender Studies chair about this option before the course begins (when possible) and will be assignments to the Women’s and Gender Studies Executive Committee for approval upon completion of the course.

8 semester hours from the Program Core (as listed above in the WMGS major):

4 semester hours from Group A or B: Women and Feminism

4 semester hours from Group C or D: Gender and Sexuality

2 elective courses (4 semester hours) approved by the WMGS program chair or from the list of approved WMGS courses.

Students must complete two additional courses beyond the core courses required. These may be selected from:

Additional WMGS core courses not taken to satisfy the Program Core courses requirement.

Courses from any discipline for which at least 60% of the assignments center on women, feminism, gender, and/or sexuality. This allows for the integration of Women’s and Gender Studies perspectives into courses that are not explicitly or entirely structured around those perspectives.

Consent of the instructor is required. Students should consult with the Women’s and Gender Studies chair about this option before the course begins (when possible) and will be required to submit the syllabus and relevant assignments to the Women’s and Gender Studies Executive Committee for approval upon completion of the course.

Women's and Gender Studies (WMGS) Undergraduate-Level Courses

WMGS 190: Inquiry Seminar - F

A four-credit seminar to introduce students to the methods and topics of study within a particular academic discipline or field. Students practice the academic skills that are at the center of the General Education Program. (4)

WMGS 201: Introduction to Women's and Gender Studies - A

An interdisciplinary introduction to the themes, issues, and methodological approaches that are central to the study of women, feminism, gender construction, and sexuality. Open to all students: required for WMGS majors and minors. (4)

WMGS 287: Special Topics in Women's and Gender Studies

To provide undergraduate students with new, one-time, and developing courses not yet available in the regular curriculum. The title will be listed on the student term-based record as ST: followed by the specific title designated by the academic unit. (1 to 4)

WMGS 288: Special Topics in Women's and Gender Studies

To provide undergraduate students with new, one-time, and developing courses not yet available in the regular curriculum. The title will be listed on the student term-based record as ST: followed by the specific title designated by the academic unit. (1 to 4)

WMGS 289: Special Topics in Women's and Gender Studies

To provide undergraduate students with new, one-time, and developing courses not yet available in the regular curriculum. The title will be listed on the student term-based record as ST: followed by the specific title designated by the academic unit. (1 to 4)

WMGS 387: Special Topics in Women's and Gender Studies

To provide undergraduate students with new, one-time, and developing courses not yet available in the regular curriculum. The title will be listed on the student term-based record as ST: followed by the specific title designated by the academic unit. (1 to 4)

WMGS 388: Special Topics in Women's and Gender Studies

To provide undergraduate students with new, one-time, and developing courses not yet available in the regular curriculum. The title will be listed on the student term-based record as ST: followed by the specific title designated by the academic unit. (1 to 4)

WMGS 389: Special Topics in Women's and Gender Studies

To provide undergraduate students with new, one-time, and developing courses not yet available in the regular curriculum. The title will be listed on the student term-based record as ST: followed by the specific title designated by the academic unit. (1 to 4)

WMGS 487: Special Topics in Women's and Gender Studies

To provide undergraduate students with new, one-time, and developing courses not yet available in the regular curriculum. The title will be listed on the student term-based record as ST: followed by the specific title designated by the academic unit. (1 to 4)

WMGS 488: Special Topics in Women's and Gender Studies

To provide undergraduate students with new, one-time, and developing courses not yet available in the regular curriculum. The title will be listed on the student term-based record as ST: followed by the specific title designated by the academic unit. (1 to 4)

WMGS 489: Special Topics in Women's and Gender Studies

To provide undergraduate students with new, one-time, and developing courses not yet available in the regular curriculum. The title will be listed on the student term-based record as ST: followed by the specific title designated by the academic unit. (1 to 4)

WMGS 491: Independent Study: Service Learning

Readings, research projects, or service learning projects in areas or issues of Women's and Gender Studies, under the supervision of a faculty member. (1 to 4)

WMGS 495: Internship

A pragmatic, employer-based experience in which students apply knowledge already acquired, build competence, and test values in setting like those in which they may seek employment. Internships require the approval of a WMGS faculty member who will supervise the work of the agency or organization supervisor who will directly supervise the student. (2 or 4)

WMGS 499: Senior Capstone - SR

As the culminating experience in the Women's and Gender Studies major, student will (1) participate in a seminar and (2) complete an academic project based on an internship and/or service learning experience. Students will work with faculty mentors to apply WMGS theories and methods to their academic projects. Prerequisites: WMGS 201 and at least 20 hours toward the WMGS major. (4)